First, this is a big month for us. Shadowgate will launch on August 21st! It’s been a long journey and we are excited to bring this re-imagined game to the masses and want to update you on how the distribution of the game will work for you, our very important backers.

When we set up our Kickstarter, it was undetermined at that time if we would launch on Steam. Now that we have been greenlit and are launching on Steam, it gives us the opportunity to offer an alternative download format to you. So on August 21st, you can go into your Humble store account and see two download options: a DRM-free version of the game (as promised) AND a Steam version of the game including full Steam integration (achievements, steam trading cards and automatic updates).

DRM-free users will get both Mac and PC builds but will need to manually updated when patches become available. The only difference between the Steam version and the DRM-free version is the aforementioned Steam features (i.e. stat tracking, Steam achievements.) Anyway, we wanted to be sure that we are transparent and up-front with you, our faithful backers. who have supported Shadowgate through the last few years!

Rewards

We will continue to update digital rewards to your humble account as they become available as well. For those who ordered the box, map, books, etc., those should be going out next month after we burn the builds to a DVD (We should be able to do Mac and PC builds on one disk!)

That reminds me... EMAIL US IF YOUR HOME ADDRESS HAS CHANGED! Sorry about the caps but really, it's important as we won't be able to send the swag twice. We can be reached here... contact@zojoi.com

Update video

Sarah has finally had time to put together a video showing some of the new features of the game. They include:

Retro mode (music, text box, and transitions): BTW, it should be noted that for the moment, we have removed Retro graphics. We just didn't have enough time to tweak them to our satisfaction so we're gonna delay that for an update down the road probably.

Hide UI (immersive mode): Shows how to play the game with auto-hiding the UI, rolling over commands or simply using key binds (my favorite).

Jess, yes. if you go to https://www.humblebundle.com/home (log in, if you haven't) view your library. At the very bottom you should see a Shadowgate link, that link will contain DRM Free downloads, and a steam key (when the game gets ready for release).

If you don't see that you have Shadowgate in your library, you can click:
https://www.humblebundle.com/store/keyresenderEnter your email address, and it will send you all of the pages/keys you have. Just click on the Shadowgate one, and click the Claim This Page, on the web page. Then it will be in your library.

How do we choose the DRM free? You say we choose in our "Humble store account." Forgive me but this seems to be missing some details/logic/steps. Is "Humble store account" referring to some tie to the Humble Bundle stuff?

Thank you to Zojoi for offering DRM-free and Steam versions together to backers! Very much appreciated - you guys have been great with your updates and communication the whole way through. One of the best kickstarters I've pledged - can't wait to play the game and relive the nostalgia from my youth. :)

@Zojoi: Thank you for changing your minds. It means a lot. I hope I didn't come across as too angry in my complaint (even if I was a bit upset! and the things I said were true).

Have you thought about adding trading cards for the Steam version? It's something that many sees as added value to their Steam game purchases with not too much work from your end. It might generate more sales, and you'll get a small cut for every card sold through the marketplace. It might not seem as much, but things like these can add up :)

It would be great if you guys could reconsider offering DRM-free and Steam together. I'd understand if you wanted people to choose between a GOG and Steam key, but in this case you've already set up the Humble accounts, and giving people a DRM-free copy plus Steam key gives the best of both worlds. I'd hate to choose, as I love having games on Steam for convenience but the DRM-free copy allows me to have a backup for safekeeping just in case.

@Ke, a few Kickstarters I'm on have offered a choice between DRM-free and Steam, not giving both. I agree it's a hassle. I prefer Steam for convenience and DRM-free for backup. Some other Kickstarters are nice and give all the versions without limitations.

In the end it's the developers' choice, but I agree it's more backer friendly to give everything. And as mentioned, that's how things bought on Humble always go.

@ Zojoi "@Dave - Well, although we promised one DRM-free copy of the game, we decided to give backers an extra for free - so if you had both a PC and Mac you wouldn't have to choose between them. Compared to a Steam key, this second copy was consistently requested and we thought it would be neat to give it to you guys as well. :)"

So, because a MAC copy was consistently requested (which I have no use for, anyway, because I don't have a MAC), we are not getting a Steam Key??? I really do respect you guys, but this is ridiculous!

This has always been the little project that could. From the looks of it Zojoi really has done an examplery job in the contrast of the budget they have. I really do hope the end result is as good as it looks, but I guess we will find out soon enough.

I'm extremely disappointed. A Steam key costs you no extra to distribute and you're letting us choose which version we can have? All other kickstarters I've backed have offered both. Is this the thanks for helping you make the game through greenlight? If you ever make another kickstarter don't expect me to contribute anything.

Every game I have in Humble offers either Steam-only, or DRM Free and Steam. I've never seen one where you select one or the other, and then you're locked in forever. I didn't even know Humble had that functionality.

Why can't it be DRM-Free and Steam like every other game Humble has? You've been doing such a good job with this campaign by keeping everyone updated with great details, this is a really weird and out-of-touch thing to do.

I like the option of getting a Steam key, but I'd prefer not having to choose one or the other. Especially on the Humble Store--this would actually be the very first game I've... well, downloaded, if not purchased ...through Humble where I can't get a Steam key *and* a DRM-free copy.

@sabin @boffer- Yeah. The folks at Humble have been really awesome to us so atm, the DRM-free version will be distributed through them.

@Jonathan - Yep. The mailing address is for physical stuff only. Any digital goodies are available on your humble account.

@Dave - Well, although we promised one DRM-free copy of the game, we decided to give backers an extra for free - so if you had both a PC and Mac you wouldn't have to choose between them. Compared to a Steam key, this second copy was consistently requested and we thought it would be neat to give it to you guys as well. :)

@Gavin - Yeah. DRM Free on DVD is the plan.
@Martin - Even if you don't use Steam, you will get a notification of an unlocked achievement in-game and then you can view all the achievements in the options screen.

This brings to mind an important question (which caused a lot of upset on another KS): which version is going to be on the physical DVD -- Steam or DRM-free? (Judging from that other KS, the correct answer is NOT the former.)